The Story of Prometheus, Level A (Grade Level 5-6)

The Story of Prometheus

          Some god (we do not know which) formed the earth. He gave rivers and bays their places; raised mountains; scooped out valleys; and made woods, fountains, fertile fields, and stony plains. With the air cleared, the stars began to appear. Fishes took possession of the sea, birds of the air, and four-footed animals of the land.

          But a nobler animal was wanted, and Man was made. There were still some heavenly seeds in the earth, since it had just been separated from heaven. Prometheus took some of this earth, and kneading it up with water, made Man in the image of the gods. He gave him an upright stature, so that while all other animals turn their faces downward, and look to the earth, he raises his to heaven, and gazes on the stars.

          Prometheus was one of the Titans, a gigantic race who inhabited the earth before the creation of Man. He and his brother Epimetheus were given the duty of making Man, and providing him and all other animals with the necessary gifts to survive. Epimetheus went to work, and Prometheus was to look over the work when it was done. So Epimetheus gave the different animals the gifts of courage, strength, swiftness, or sagacity. He would give wings to one, claws to another, a shelly covering to a third, etc.

          But when Man (who was supposed to be superior to all other animals) came to be provided for, Epimetheus had been so prodigal of his resources that he had nothing left to give to him. He brought his problem to his brother. Prometheus went up to heaven and lit his torch at the chariot of the sun. He then  brought the fire down to Man. With this gift Man was more than a match for all other animals. It let him make weapons to hold them off and tools to cultivate the earth. It let him warm his dwelling, so he was more independent of climate. It also let him create the arts and coin money, the means of trade.

          Prometheus has been a favorite subject of poets. He is shown as the friend of mankind, who worked to help them when Jupiter was angry with them. He also taught them civilization and the arts. But since this went against the will of Jupiter, he drew down on himself the anger of the ruler of gods and men. Jupiter had him chained to a rock on Mount Caucasus, where a vulture preyed on his liver, which grew back as fast as it was eaten. Prometheus could have ended this torment at any time, if he had been willing to give in to his oppressor. He possessed a secret which had to with Jupiter losing his throne. If he had told it, he might have been at once taken into favor. But he refused to do. He has therefore become the symbol of strength of will resisting oppression.